Rockford vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Rockford
Surprise
The Verdict
Living in Rockford costs 23.3% less than Surprise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Rockford, you would need $97,785 in Surprise.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Rockford has the same purchasing power as $97,785 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $57,524 in Rockford.
Living in Rockford vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Rockford's housing index of 52 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $419,000. The $264,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,160 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Rockford compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Rockford and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Rockford vs $475/month in Surprise. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Rockford and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Rockford vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Rockford and 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $53,300 in Rockford and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,468 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,244/month to housing in Rockford vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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